Wildlife time was not yet over as we left Puerto Madryn for Peninsula Valdes to its east. Here if you are really lucky you can witness an orca feeding on a sea lion, a phenomenen which is uncommon at this time of year, but can happen on rare occassions during high tide. Though I sat staring at the waters for some time while Reece did a nature walk waiting for the attack to occur sadly it wasn't to be. We were also a few weeks late for the humpback whales so sea lions and elephant seals would have to do. I couldn't help but be slightly disappointed....
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| Reece being an elephant seal |
But, the size of the elephant seals was pretty impressive, especially when you saw them through these massive binoculars which showed their fat faces right up close - you could even see their whiskers. We also got some more time with penguins, including lots of new borns this time, all fluffy and cute and Happy Feet like (which coincidentally we chose to watch as our Christmas movie, a Leggett family tradition).
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| Baby penguins! |
We stayed at an interesting place in Piramides for a couple of nights, which gave the impression (wrong) of being a sleepy, beachside town. Not so much a campsite as a spot for tents on the side of a dusty road, its lack of charm beaten only by its clientele who kept us up all night with their 'oonce oonce' music. We had been warned of municipal campsites and local teenagers who treat them as party spots. So after two days we left for North even less more tired than when we arrived. Being so close to Buenos Aires it seemed fitting that we spend New Years Eve but after another long day on the road we realised that Christmas hadn't exactly been the restful time we were hoping for.
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Posing on the cobblestoned streets of
Carmen de Patagones |
We reassessed in Carmen de Patagones, the oldest town in Patagonia. What with the mad Christmas shopping day, lack of sleep, and gravel road driving around the we and decided instead a few days vacation from our hectic travel schedule was in order. It's a tough life we lead. So we headed to the beach. First, Monte Hermosa, which we weren't really feeling. It was a bit Mount Maunganui esque on a larger scale, although apparently it's the only place on the Atlantic Coast where you can see the sunrise and sunset on the same beach. Instead we headed further up the coast to Reta, and in Reece's words, 'we regretted not coming earlier'. It was just perfect: great camping facilities, a few restaurants to choose a place for a New Years Eve meal, nice beach, and fantastic weather. We had
asado for New Years Eve and swore it would be our last. The blood sausage and chinchilla (not the rodent kind, that probably tastes better) did not sit all that well! Next stop: Buenos Aires!
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